Description

Book Synopsis
Exploring the Buddhist/Taoist concept of non-doing and intention in relation to bodywork, this book focuses on how the therapist should approach their client without agenda and meet them where they are at. This requires the therapist to pay attention to their own surfacing intentions and leave assumptions behind so they may focus on simply 'being', which is a profoundly active, non-reactive expression of presence, rather than a passive state of resignation. The ramifications of sub-conscious doing and wilful intention can negatively impact expressions of health and so the author explains how therapists may skilfully navigate between intention, attention and embodied non-doing whilst treating clients, and how this creates the foundations for safe relational touch.

Trade Review
Another book worthy of reading. Andrew Pike condenses, in a brilliant manner, complex and often confusing subjects of intention and sensations. Promoting slowing down, being aware and noticing are very difficult and under-appreciated practices in our fast-paced global society. He explains how these human experiences should be considered an essential practice and not a simple luxury. Best of all he guides the reader through the simple process of accessing a quiet, deeper, inner sense of self that assists us to deal with a culture of rampant speed and unrelenting bombardment of external noise and disturbances. -- David Berceli, Ph.D., CEO of Trauma Recovery Services and Creator of Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE).
Although Andy Pike's new book is entitled, "Intention & Non-Doing in Therapeutic Bodywork", I believe the work deserves a much wider, more general audience. For 'Intention and Non-doing in Therapeutic Bodywork' is a blueprint, complete with a large number of immediately practical exercises, for how to be a better human being, more present, more often, and less reactive in the process. Recommended. -- Kit Laughlin, M. Litt., Founder of Stretch Therapy and author of Overcome neck & back pain.
This deeply inquiring work invites the therapist to value not only the acutely subtle world of touch, but to self-inquire into the unseen yet palpable inner presence needed to bring an underlying truth and wholeness to the work between therapist and client. Practical exercises throughout help one embody the ultimate elegant simplicity of this approach. A beautiful, insightful masterpiece and guide for anyone working in a body-based therapeutic environment. -- Janet McGeever, Co-author of Tantric Sex and Menopause, Practices for Spiritual and Sexual Renewal
It is unusual to come across a mind that can delve so deeply into such an ethereal subject while simultaneously insisting on the embodiment of the truths discovered. You will feel Andy's insight throughout this book...his inspiring words, delicate descriptions and creative metaphors...they are alive, as is the essence they carry. -- Dr Graham Mead, MD, Creator of the InnerSense Program
In this book Andy skilfully takes us into the detailed and nuanced world of sensation-based awareness, leading readers to greater richness, clarity, and efficacy in their work. This text is a tremendous gift to astute bodyworkers who recognize the limitations of technique-based work and are ready to explore deeper states of therapeutic insight. -- Ryan Hallford, RCST. Host of The Craniosacral Podcast and Internationally Accredited BCST Instructor

Table of Contents

List of Figures 6
List of Experiential Exercises 8
Acknowledgements 9
Forward 11
Preface 12
1. Wholistic Awareness 16
1.1 The dot 17
1.2 The movie 20
2. Feeling Safe 22
2.1 Setting scene to notice screen 23
2.2 Familiarity with space and stillness 30
3. Intention 38
3.1 Ramifications of intent 39
3.2 Intention prevents insight 40
3.3 Types of intent 45
4. TIME Passing 66
4.1 T.I/ME 67
4.2 Noticing 69
Sensory input 69
Impressions (arising) 69
Sensations (A+P) 70
Tendencies (A>P) 70
Intention 71
4.3 Change 73
4.4 Arising & Passing 76
4.5 Equanimity 78
4.6 Ice, liquid, steam 80
5. Entering Stillness 82
5.1 No permanent separate self 83
5.2 Simple, complex & non-dual simple 84
5.4 Accessing original nature 86
5.5 Calm Intensity 87
5.6 Beyond the Placebo 90
6. Calm In-10-City 92
6.1 The 10 qualities of the city with no gate 93
Qualities of calm-in-ten-city: 93
6.2 Non-doing V's progressive approach 96
7. Access Attention 100
7.1 Access Attention Anchoring 101
7.2 Philtrum 104
7.3 Breath-fast, Lung-ch & Su-purrr 105
7.5 Cranial nerve balance 107
7.6 Quantum sense awareness 108
7.7 Access to natural fulcrum expression 109
8. Insight Field 114
8.1 It is 'This' 115
8.2 Present in all fields 115
8.3 Felt-sense entanglement 117
8.4 Quintessential realisation 121
8.5 Seeing patterns with embodied non-doing 126
8.6 Five factors to SPEND T.I/ME 127
9. Equanimity & the Grey Zone 129
9.1 The importance of equanimity 130
9.2 Distraction 130
9.3 Tides of tantalisation 131
9.4 Good/Bad 'energy' trap 136
9.5 Potency awareness v energy manipulation 137
9.6 Insight, the distinction between calm intensity and dissociation 137
10. Engaged Non-Doing 140
10.1 E.N.D principles 141
10.2 Dissolution of T.I/ME 144
10.3 J Krishnamurti 148
10.4 Insight primed primal-midline 152
10.5 Warrior wu wei v wimpy wistfulness 155
10.6 Subatomic & Molecular touch (MT) 156
10.7 Four chambers of non-doing orientation 158
10.8 Felt-sense connection 160
10.9 This Is 162
10.10 Socially-reactive v pro-relational 166
10.11 Client Resourcing 167
11. The Doing Client 169
11.1 Falconer & falcon 170
11.2 Controlling the Breath 171
11.3 Moving the body 171
11.4 Subconscious tension 172
11.5 Asking therapist to 'focus' on specific areas 173
11.6 Asking therapist for a wide perceptual field 174
(rare in client settings but common in undergraduate student settings) 174
11.7 Talking to distract from deepening 174
11.8 Client transference 175
11.9 Projecting the Therapist as a Guru 177
11.10 Trauma 178
12. Client oriented END process 182
12.1 Cranioga 183
Process of intention to attention to non-doing 183
12.2 Cranioga process in a nutshell 196
13. Brahma Vihara 200
13.1 Insight born love v conjured love 201
13.2 Metta (loving appreciation) 202
13.3 Karuna (compassion) 205
13.4 Mudita (altruistic joy) 205
13.5 Upekkha (equanimity) 208
13.6 Tonglen 209
13.7 Altruism 209
Appendix 1: Process of bottom-up conditioning 212
Appendix 2 213
Glossary 220
References 263
E.N.D Notes 267

Intention and Non-Doing in Therapeutic Bodywork

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    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Tue 30 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Andrew Pike

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      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Intention and Non-Doing in Therapeutic Bodywork by Andrew Pike

      Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
      Publication Date: 21/09/2021
      ISBN13: 9781787758988, 978-1787758988
      ISBN10: 1787758982

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      Exploring the Buddhist/Taoist concept of non-doing and intention in relation to bodywork, this book focuses on how the therapist should approach their client without agenda and meet them where they are at. This requires the therapist to pay attention to their own surfacing intentions and leave assumptions behind so they may focus on simply 'being', which is a profoundly active, non-reactive expression of presence, rather than a passive state of resignation. The ramifications of sub-conscious doing and wilful intention can negatively impact expressions of health and so the author explains how therapists may skilfully navigate between intention, attention and embodied non-doing whilst treating clients, and how this creates the foundations for safe relational touch.

      Trade Review
      Another book worthy of reading. Andrew Pike condenses, in a brilliant manner, complex and often confusing subjects of intention and sensations. Promoting slowing down, being aware and noticing are very difficult and under-appreciated practices in our fast-paced global society. He explains how these human experiences should be considered an essential practice and not a simple luxury. Best of all he guides the reader through the simple process of accessing a quiet, deeper, inner sense of self that assists us to deal with a culture of rampant speed and unrelenting bombardment of external noise and disturbances. -- David Berceli, Ph.D., CEO of Trauma Recovery Services and Creator of Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE).
      Although Andy Pike's new book is entitled, "Intention & Non-Doing in Therapeutic Bodywork", I believe the work deserves a much wider, more general audience. For 'Intention and Non-doing in Therapeutic Bodywork' is a blueprint, complete with a large number of immediately practical exercises, for how to be a better human being, more present, more often, and less reactive in the process. Recommended. -- Kit Laughlin, M. Litt., Founder of Stretch Therapy and author of Overcome neck & back pain.
      This deeply inquiring work invites the therapist to value not only the acutely subtle world of touch, but to self-inquire into the unseen yet palpable inner presence needed to bring an underlying truth and wholeness to the work between therapist and client. Practical exercises throughout help one embody the ultimate elegant simplicity of this approach. A beautiful, insightful masterpiece and guide for anyone working in a body-based therapeutic environment. -- Janet McGeever, Co-author of Tantric Sex and Menopause, Practices for Spiritual and Sexual Renewal
      It is unusual to come across a mind that can delve so deeply into such an ethereal subject while simultaneously insisting on the embodiment of the truths discovered. You will feel Andy's insight throughout this book...his inspiring words, delicate descriptions and creative metaphors...they are alive, as is the essence they carry. -- Dr Graham Mead, MD, Creator of the InnerSense Program
      In this book Andy skilfully takes us into the detailed and nuanced world of sensation-based awareness, leading readers to greater richness, clarity, and efficacy in their work. This text is a tremendous gift to astute bodyworkers who recognize the limitations of technique-based work and are ready to explore deeper states of therapeutic insight. -- Ryan Hallford, RCST. Host of The Craniosacral Podcast and Internationally Accredited BCST Instructor

      Table of Contents

      List of Figures 6
      List of Experiential Exercises 8
      Acknowledgements 9
      Forward 11
      Preface 12
      1. Wholistic Awareness 16
      1.1 The dot 17
      1.2 The movie 20
      2. Feeling Safe 22
      2.1 Setting scene to notice screen 23
      2.2 Familiarity with space and stillness 30
      3. Intention 38
      3.1 Ramifications of intent 39
      3.2 Intention prevents insight 40
      3.3 Types of intent 45
      4. TIME Passing 66
      4.1 T.I/ME 67
      4.2 Noticing 69
      Sensory input 69
      Impressions (arising) 69
      Sensations (A+P) 70
      Tendencies (A>P) 70
      Intention 71
      4.3 Change 73
      4.4 Arising & Passing 76
      4.5 Equanimity 78
      4.6 Ice, liquid, steam 80
      5. Entering Stillness 82
      5.1 No permanent separate self 83
      5.2 Simple, complex & non-dual simple 84
      5.4 Accessing original nature 86
      5.5 Calm Intensity 87
      5.6 Beyond the Placebo 90
      6. Calm In-10-City 92
      6.1 The 10 qualities of the city with no gate 93
      Qualities of calm-in-ten-city: 93
      6.2 Non-doing V's progressive approach 96
      7. Access Attention 100
      7.1 Access Attention Anchoring 101
      7.2 Philtrum 104
      7.3 Breath-fast, Lung-ch & Su-purrr 105
      7.5 Cranial nerve balance 107
      7.6 Quantum sense awareness 108
      7.7 Access to natural fulcrum expression 109
      8. Insight Field 114
      8.1 It is 'This' 115
      8.2 Present in all fields 115
      8.3 Felt-sense entanglement 117
      8.4 Quintessential realisation 121
      8.5 Seeing patterns with embodied non-doing 126
      8.6 Five factors to SPEND T.I/ME 127
      9. Equanimity & the Grey Zone 129
      9.1 The importance of equanimity 130
      9.2 Distraction 130
      9.3 Tides of tantalisation 131
      9.4 Good/Bad 'energy' trap 136
      9.5 Potency awareness v energy manipulation 137
      9.6 Insight, the distinction between calm intensity and dissociation 137
      10. Engaged Non-Doing 140
      10.1 E.N.D principles 141
      10.2 Dissolution of T.I/ME 144
      10.3 J Krishnamurti 148
      10.4 Insight primed primal-midline 152
      10.5 Warrior wu wei v wimpy wistfulness 155
      10.6 Subatomic & Molecular touch (MT) 156
      10.7 Four chambers of non-doing orientation 158
      10.8 Felt-sense connection 160
      10.9 This Is 162
      10.10 Socially-reactive v pro-relational 166
      10.11 Client Resourcing 167
      11. The Doing Client 169
      11.1 Falconer & falcon 170
      11.2 Controlling the Breath 171
      11.3 Moving the body 171
      11.4 Subconscious tension 172
      11.5 Asking therapist to 'focus' on specific areas 173
      11.6 Asking therapist for a wide perceptual field 174
      (rare in client settings but common in undergraduate student settings) 174
      11.7 Talking to distract from deepening 174
      11.8 Client transference 175
      11.9 Projecting the Therapist as a Guru 177
      11.10 Trauma 178
      12. Client oriented END process 182
      12.1 Cranioga 183
      Process of intention to attention to non-doing 183
      12.2 Cranioga process in a nutshell 196
      13. Brahma Vihara 200
      13.1 Insight born love v conjured love 201
      13.2 Metta (loving appreciation) 202
      13.3 Karuna (compassion) 205
      13.4 Mudita (altruistic joy) 205
      13.5 Upekkha (equanimity) 208
      13.6 Tonglen 209
      13.7 Altruism 209
      Appendix 1: Process of bottom-up conditioning 212
      Appendix 2 213
      Glossary 220
      References 263
      E.N.D Notes 267

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